G. Elijah Dann - Böcker

In God and the Public Square, Elijah Dann discusses the central issues on the forefront of ethical debate among Christian conservatives in North America. He discusses the hot-button issues of the day, including same-sex marriage, abortion, stem cell research, euthanasia, and the role of religion in politics. Dann offers a calculated response to the conservative Christian right's viewpoint and discusses the various obstacles that stand in the way of using religious values as the basis for public policy and legislation.

Richard Rorty is regarded as something of a pariah in mainstream philosophical circles. Trained by some of the most eminent philosophers of the twentieth century, he has come to be one of the strongest critics of the philosophical tradition. Over the years Rorty's books have cast serious doubt on philosophical ambitions, such as whether we can provide deep and uncontroversial definitions of justice, truth, and knowledge. He has also questioned whether it makes sense to ask if the beliefs we have, in some deep sense, correspond with the "real world." Instead of trying to resolve deep philosophical questions, Rorty believes we should turn our attention to social issues, broadly conceived as "increasing solidarity". In this book, G. Elijah Dann takes seriously Rorty's writings, showing how, contrary to what many philosophers believe, he actually helps to enhance and enliven both the philosophy of religion and the chances for moral progress. Dann goes on to discuss Rorty's metaethics and reviews. Rorty's well-known article, "Religion as Conversation-stopper," showing how the private/public distinction, though well-placed, needs adjustment.Contrary to Rorty's view that religious values should remain in the private realm, Dann maintains religious values can play an important role in the public square, albeit through a "translation" into secular terms. Finally the book explores how the history of philosophical interests shaped theological ones and Dann looks at Rorty's more recent thoughts about religion, particularly in his discussion with the Italian philosopher Gianni Vattimo.

This is the first book to consider the impact of Rorty's position on religious belief. Trained by some of the most eminent philosophers of the twentieth century, Richard Rorty has come to be one of the strongest critics of the philosophical tradition. In this book, G. Elijah Dann suggests that Rorty helps to enhance and enliven both the philosophy of religion and the chances for moral progress. Dann goes on to discuss Rorty's metaethics and reviews. Dann argues that Rorty's well-known article, "Religion as Conversation-stopper", though valuable, needs adjustment. Contrary to Rorty's view that religious values should remain in the private realm, Dann maintains religious values can play an important role in the public square, albeit through a 'translation' into secular terms. The book concludes by exploring how the history of philosophical interests shaped theological ones and Dann looks at Rorty's more recent thoughts about religion, particularly in his discussion with the Italian philosopher Gianni Vattimo. "Continuum Studies in American Philosophy" presents cutting-edge scholarship in both the history of and contemporary movements in American philosophy.The wholly original arguments, perspectives and research findings in titles in this series make it an important and stimulating resource for students and academics from across the field.